A breast pump or milk collection assembly

Abstract

A breast pump system comprises a set of modules. There is at least a breast shield module, a pump module, a milk container module and a treatment module. In a breast pump configuration, the breast shield module, the pump module and milk container module are used without the treatment module, whereas in a treatment configuration, one or more, but not all, of the modules used in the breast pump configuration is exchanged for the treatment module.

1 . A wearable breast pump system comprising a set of modules, the set of modules comprising:
 a breast shield module including at least a breast shield;   a pump module including at least a pump unit;   a milk container module; and   a treatment module,   wherein the breast pump system is configurable in:
 a breast pump configuration with a first set of the modules, integrated to form a single unit, including the breast shield module, the pump module and milk container module, and without the treatment module; and 
 a treatment configuration with a second set of the modules integrated to form a single unit, in which one or more, but not all, of the first set of modules is exchanged for the treatment module. 
   
     
     
         2 . The breast pump system of  claim 1 , wherein the pump module comprises the pump unit and an electronics unit. 
     
     
         3 . The breast pump system of  claim 1 , wherein the breast shield module comprises the breast shield and a diaphragm. 
     
     
         4 . The breast pump system of  claim 3 , wherein the diaphragm is formed of a flexible membrane and comprises a cavity having an open end for receiving a nipple of a user and a closed end, wherein the diaphragm fits over an opening in the breast shield. 
     
     
         5 . The breast pump system of  claim 3 , wherein the breast shield and the diaphragm form a rear assembly and the pump module is part of a front assembly that fits over the rear assembly, wherein the front assembly further comprises a cover for fitting over the diaphragm to define a sealed space between them. 
     
     
         6 . The breast pump system of  claim 1 , wherein the second set of the modules, for the treatment configuration, comprises the pump module and the treatment module without the milk container module and without the breast shield module. 
     
     
         7 . The breast pump system of  claim 3 , wherein the second set of the modules, for the treatment configuration, comprises the pump module, the treatment module and the breast shield, without the milk container module and without the diaphragm. 
     
     
         8 . The breast pump system of  claim 1 , wherein the set of modules includes a treatment control module, wherein the second set of the modules, for the treatment configuration, comprises at least the treatment module and the treatment control module. 
     
     
         9 . The breast pump system of  claim 1 , wherein the treatment module comprises:
 a massage unit; or   a light delivery unit for phototherapy   
     
     
         10 . The breast pump system of  claim 9 , wherein the treatment module comprises a light delivery unit for delivering light with a peak intensity at a wavelength in the range 400 nm to 470 nm; or infrared light with a peak intensity at a wavelength in the range 600 nm to 800 nm. 
     
     
         11 . The breast pump system of  claim 1 , wherein the treatment module comprises:
 an RF delivery system or an ultrasound delivery system or a cooling system such as using a Peltier cooling element; or   a system for delivering topical medication, wherein the set of modules further comprises a topical medication storage container.   
     
     
         12 . The breast pump system of  claim 1 , wherein the set of modules further comprises a treatment monitoring sensor module to monitor the application of the treatment or to monitor the interaction between the application of the treatment and the reaction of the breast and user, and the second set of the modules, for the treatment configuration, includes the treatment monitoring sensor module. 
     
     
         13 . The breast pump system of  claim 12 , wherein the treatment monitoring sensor system comprises one or more of:
 an optical sensor for monitoring skin color, skin hydration, skin oiliness, blood perfusion or heart rate;   an impedance or capacitance sensor for monitoring skin hydration or skin oiliness;   an ultrasound sensor for monitoring skin condition; or   a temperature sensor for measuring skin temperature.   
     
     
         14 . The breast pump system of  claim 1 , wherein the breast pump system has the same outer form factor in the breast pump configuration and in the treatment configuration. 
     
     
         15 . The breast pump system of  claim 14 , wherein the breast pump system is adapted to fit under a bra in the breast pump configuration and in the treatment configuration.